The first football action of the year in Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties produced some exciting finishes. Four games came down to one possession with two ending in overtime. Here’s a recap of all local games from Week 1.


Southern Durham 26, Wake Forest 21

Southern Durham’s senior quarterback Jonathan Dillon rushed for three touchdowns to help the Spartans complete a comeback victory over Wake Forest.

Down 21-12 late in the third quarter, Dillon ran in a 3-yard score to bring the Spartans within three. Early in the fourth quarter, he gave Southern Durham its first and only lead of the night with a 61-yard sprint to the end zone.

The Spartans’ defense took care of the rest with two fourth-quarter interceptions, including a game-sealing snag by senior Lance Henderson.

Senior running back Damien Hayes also ran in a 1-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.


Jordan 38, Leesville Road 37 (OT)

After Jordan senior Ja’Corie Douglas tied the game with a short touchdown run in the second overtime series, sophomore kicker Jason Ortiz made the extra point to clinch the win over Leesville Road.

The Falcons led 21-8 but found themselves trailing for the first time in the game after Leesville Road scored 16 unanswered points from the final minutes of the second quarter to the first few minutes of the fourth.

Ortiz hit a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to knot the game at 24 and send it to overtime.

Junior quarterback Jonah Witherspoon finished the game with a passing (12-yard touchdown to senior Marcus Martin in the second quarter) and a rushing (9-yard touchdown in first overtime series) touchdown. Senior Devon Taylor scored on a 1-yard run, and Douglas ran in a 6-yard score for the Falcons’ first points.


Hillside 30, E.E. Smith 22

Hillside’s senior quarterback Xavier Stevenson threw a quick pass to senior Eric Mayo, and he ran six yards to the end zone to edge E.E. Smith in overtime.

Stevenson also logged a rushing touchdown in the win.

The Hornets led 22-14 at the half. E.E. Smith scored and notched the 2-point conversion to send the game to extra play.


East Wake 27, Riverside 20

Riverside’s comeback efforts fell short in a season-opening loss to East Wake.

The Pirates trailed 27-6 in the third quarter. Senior quarterback Taylen Lea ran in a 1-yard score to make it a two-score game. Then, junior Leighton Lascallette caught a 5-yard pass from Lea in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession affair.

Later in the final period, Riverside senior Kenneth Bryant returned a fumble for what could’ve been the game-tying score, but offsetting penalties took points off the board.

The Pirates failed to find the end zone in their last two offensive possessions.


Northern Durham 45, Bartlett Yancey 18

After a slow start, Northern Durham dominated Bartlett Yancey from the second quarter through the end of the game.

The Knights gained over 500 yards of offense. Senior Ja’Carreis Jones rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Senior quarterback Amir Liles threw three touchdowns to seniors Joshua Mainor and Darion Marks and sophomore Kristian Kidd. Liles and junior Kamaree Moore also each ran in a score.

Northern Durham’s defense came away with three takeaways. Marks and Mainor each notched an interception with Mainor running his back for a touchdown.


Southeast Alamance 42, Orange 11

Orange running back Markus Thomas’ 207 rushing yards couldn’t get the Panthers over Southeast Alamance.

Despite coming away with two interceptions, Orange struggled to limit the Stallions’ pass game. It gave up 275 receiving and multiple touchdowns through the air.


Harnett Central 49, Northwood 7

Harnett Central handled Northwood in the Chargers’ season opener. The Trojans outscored Northwood 28-7 in the first quarter and logged 21 more points in the second.


East Chapel Hill 41, Cedar Ridge 16

East Chapel Hill spoiled the debut of new Cedar Ridge coach Paul Ronga.

Junior quarterback Leo George logged four total touchdowns with three coming through the air. Junior receiver Josh Freeman caught two touchdown passes and ran in the score that put the Wildcats ahead 41-8 in the third quarter.


Jordan-Matthews 36, Carrboro 22

Jordan-Matthews started 2026 with a double-digit win over Carrboro. The Jets notched their largest season-opening margin of victory since 2013.


Top performances
Duncan Parker (Seaforth, quarterback, seven total touchdowns vs. Chapel Hill)
Mason Pooley (Seaforth, tight end, three receiving touchdowns vs. Chapel Hill)
Jonathan Dillon (Southern Durham, quarterback, three rushing touchdowns vs. Wake Forest)
Ja’Corie Douglas (Jordan, running back, two rushing touchdowns vs. Leesville Road)
Jason Ortiz (Jordan, kicker, hit game-winning extra point and hit from 21 yards to send the game vs. Leesville Road in to overtime)
Xavier Stevenson (Hillside, quarterback, one passing touchdown and one rushing score vs. E.E. Smith)
Eric Mayo (Hillside, running back, scored the game-winning touchdown vs. E.E. Smith)
Ja’Carreis Jones (Northern Durham, running back, 125 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries vs. Bartlett Yancey)
Amir Liles (Northern Durham, quarterback, three passing touchdowns and a rushing score vs. Bartlett Yancey)
Joshua Mainor (Northern Durham, receiver, touchdown reception and a pick-six vs. Bartlett Yancey)
Markus Thomas (Orange, running back, 207 rushing yards on 35 carries against Southeast Alamance)
Leo George (East Chapel Hill, quarterback, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown vs. Cedar Ridge)
Josh Freeman (East Chapel Hill, receiver, two touchdown receptions and a rushing touchdown vs. Cedar Ridge)